Endotoxin tolerance ameliorates lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure by negative regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 via Sitr1.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a potentially fatal disorder characterized by extensive hepatocyte necrosis and rapid decline in liver function. Numerous factors, including oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammatory responses, are associated with its pathogenesis. Endotoxin tolerance (ET) refers to the phenomenon in which the body or cells exhibit low or no response to high-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation after pre-stimulation with low-dose LPS. However, the specific mechanism through which ET regulates LPS/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced ALF remains unclear. An ALF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-GalN (400 mg/kg) and LPS (10 mg/kg). A low dose of LPS (0.1 mg/kg/d) was continuously administered to mice for 5 d before modeling to assess the protective effect of ET. The data from this study showed that ET alleviated the inflammatory response in mice with LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF. ET inhibited LPS-induced oxidative damage and pyroptosis in macrophages in vitro. RNA sequencing analysis showed that the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was linked to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of ET. Furthermore, using western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence, we verified that ET inhibited the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and triggered the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to attenuate oxidative stress and cell pyroptosis. Sirt1 knockdown reversed this protective effect. In summary, our research elucidates that ET prevents ALF advancement by upregulating Sirt1 levels, triggering the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis, and suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling cascade to inhibit oxidative stress and cell pyroptosis. Our results provide a mechanistic explanation for the protective effect of ET against ALF.

Stretch-Induced Conductivity Enhancement in Highly Conductive and Tough Hydrogels.

The resistance of gels and elastomers increases significantly with tensile strain, which reduces conductive stability and restricts their use in stable and reliable electronics. Here, highly conductive tough hydrogels composed of silver nanowires (AgNWs), liquid metal (LM), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are fabricated. The stretch-induced orientations of AgNWs, deformable LM, and PVA nanocrystalline create conductive pathways, enhancing the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, including increased ultimate fracture stress (13-33 MPa), strain (3000-5300%), and toughness (390.9-765.1 MJ m-3 ). Notably, the electrical conductivity of the hydrogels is significantly improved from 4.05 × 10-3 to 24 S m-1 when stretched to 4200% strain, representing a 6000-fold enhancement. The incorporation of PVA nanocrystalline, deformable LM, and AgNWs effectively mitigates stress concentration at the crack tip, thereby conferring crack propagation insensitivity and fatigue resistance to the hydrogels. Moreover, the hydrogels are designed with a reversible crosslinking network, allowing for water-induced recycling.

Advanced Image-Guided Percutaneous Technique Versus Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement.

Rationale & Objective: Timely placement of a functional peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is crucial to long-term PD success. Advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques both represent best practice catheter placement options. Advanced image-guided percutaneous is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require general anesthesia. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study comparing time from referral to procedure, complication rate, and 1-year catheter survival between placement techniques. Setting & Participants: Patients who had advanced laparoscopic or advanced image-guided percutaneous PD catheter placement from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 in an integrated Northern California health care delivery system. Exposure: PD catheter placement using advanced laparoscopic or advanced image-guided percutaneous techniques. Outcomes: One-year PD catheter survival; major, minor, and infectious complications; time from referral to PD catheter placement; and procedure time. Analytical Approach: Wilcoxon rank sum tests to compare referral and procedure times; χ2/Fisher exact tests to compare complications; and modified least-squares regression to compare adjusted 1-year catheter survival between PD placement techniques. Results: We identified 191 and 238 PD catheters placed through advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques, respectively. Adjusted 1-year PD catheter survival was 80% (95% CI, 74%-87%) using advanced image-guided percutaneous technique vs 91% (87%-96%) using advanced laparoscopic technique (P = 0.01). Major complications were <1% in both groups. Minor and infectious complications were 45.6% and 38.7% in advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques, respectively (P = 0.01). Median days from referral to procedure were 12 and 33 for patients undergoing advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques, respectively (P < 0.001). Median procedure time was 30 and 44.5 minutes for patients undergoing advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques, respectively (P < 0.001). Limitations: Retrospective study with practice preference influenced by timing, local expertise, and resources. Conclusions: Both advanced image-guided percutaneous and advanced laparoscopic techniques reported rare major complications and demonstrated excellent (advanced laparoscopic) and acceptable (advanced image-guided percutaneous) 1-year PD catheter survival. For patients referred for PD catheter placement at centers where advanced laparoscopic resources or expertise remain limited, the advanced image-guided percutaneous technique can provide a complementary and timely option to support the utilization of PD. Plain-Language Summary: Peritoneal dialysis is a preferred dialysis modality for many patients. However, the lack of available skilled surgeons can limit the placement of the peritoneal dialysis catheter in a timely manner. In the past decade, interventional radiology has developed expertise in placing peritoneal dialysis catheters. Using data from an integrated health care system, we compared the outcome of peritoneal dialysis catheters placed using laparoscopic surgery and interventional radiology techniques. Our results showed excellent 1-year patency of peritoneal dialysis catheters placed using laparoscopic surgery, whereas interventional radiology placement of catheters had lower but acceptable 1-year patency survival, based on best practice guideline criteria. Hence, interventional radiology placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters may be a viable alternative when laparoscopic surgery is not available or feasible.

High-Toughness and High-Strength Solvent-Free Linear Poly(ionic liquid) Elastomers.

Solvent-free elastomers, unlike gels, do not suffer from solvent evaporation and leakage in practical applications. However, it is challenging to realize the preparation of high-toughness (with both high stress and strain) ionic elastomers. Herein, high-toughness linear poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) elastomers are constructed via supramolecular ionic networks formed by the polymerization of halometallate ionic liquid (IL) monomers, without any chemical crosslinking. The obtained linear PIL elastomers exhibit high strength (16.5 MPa), Young's modulus (157.49 MPa), toughness (130.31 MJ m-3 ), and high crack propagation insensitivity (fracture energy 243.37 kJ m-2 ), owing to the enhanced intermolecular noncovalent interactions of PIL chains. Furthermore, PIL elastomer-based strain, pressure, and touch sensors have shown high sensitivity. The linear noncovalent crosslinked network endows the PIL elastomers with self-healing and recyclable properties, and broad application prospects in the fields of flexible sensor devices, health monitoring, and human-machine interaction.

Low-Hysteresis and High-Toughness Hydrogels Regulated by Porous Cationic Polymers: the Effect of Counteranions.

Service life and range of polymer materials is heavily reliant on their elasticity and mechanical stability under long-term loading. Slippage of chain segments under load leads to significant hysteresis of the hydrogels, limiting its repeatability and mechanical stability. Achieving the desired elasticity exceeding that of rubber is a great challenge for hydrogels, particularly when subjected to large deformations. Here, low-hysteresis and high-toughness hydrogels were developed through controllable interactions of porous cationic polymers (PCPs) with adjustable counteranions, including reversible bonding of PCP frameworks/polymer segments (polyacrylamide, PAAm) and counteranions/PAAm. This strategy reduces chain segment slippage under load, endowing the PCP-based hydrogels (PCP-gels) with good elasticity under large deformations (7 % hysteresis at a strain ratio of 40). Furthermore, due to the enlarged chain segments entanglement by PCP, the PCP-gels exhibit large strain (13000 %), significantly enhanced toughness (68 MJ m-3 ), high fracture energy (43.1 kJ m-2 ), and fatigue resistance. The unique properties of these elastic PCP-gels have promising applications in the field of flexible sensors.

Poly(Ionic Liquid) Double-Network Elastomers with High-Impact Resistance Enhanced by Cation-π Interactions.

With the continuous development of impact protection materials, lightweight, high-impact resistance, flexibility, and controllable toughness are required. Here, tough and impact-resistant poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)/poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) double-network (DN) elastomers are constructed via multiple cross-linking of polymer networks and cation-π interactions of PIL chains. Benefiting from the strong noncovalent cohesion achieved by the cation-π interactions in PIL chains, the prepared PIL DN elastomers exhibit extraordinary compressive strength (95.24 ± 2.49 MPa) and toughness (55.98 ± 0.66 MJ m-3) under high-velocity impact load (5000 s-1). The synthesized PIL DN elastomer combines strength and flexibility to protect fragile items from impact. This strategy provides a new research idea in the field of the next generation of safety and protective materials.

Unveiling the Occurrence and Non-Negligible Role of Amino Sugars in Waste Activated Sludge Fermentation by an Enriched Chitin-Degradation Consortium.

Polysaccharides in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can form a hybrid matrix network with proteins, impeding waste-activated sludge (WAS) fermentation. Amino sugars, such as N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) polymers and sialic acid, are the non-negligible components in the EPS of aerobic granules or biofilm. However, the occurrence of amino sugars in WAS and their degradation remains unclear. Thus, amino sugars (∼6.0%) in WAS were revealed, and the genera of Lactococcus and Zoogloea were identified for the first time. Chitin was used as the substrate to enrich a chitin-degrading consortium (CDC). The COD balances for methane production ranged from 83.3 and 95.1%. Chitin was gradually converted to oligosaccharides and GlcNAc after dosing with the extracellular enzyme. After doing enriched CDC in WAS, the final methane production markedly increased to 60.4 ± 0.6 mL, reflecting an increase of ∼62%. Four model substrates of amino sugars (GlcNAc and sialic acid) and polysaccharides (cellulose and dextran) could be used by CDC. Treponema (34.3%) was identified as the core bacterium via excreting chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidases (EC 3.2.1.52), especially the genetic abundance of chitinases in CDC was 2.5 times higher than that of WAS. Thus, this study provides an elegant method for the utilization of amino sugar-enriched organics.

CKD stage-specific utility of two equations for predicting 1-year risk of ESKD.

BACKGROUND: The Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) and Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) models have been proposed to predict progression to ESKD among adults with CKD within 2 and 5 years. We evaluated the utility of these equations to predict the 1-year risk of ESKD in a contemporary, ethnically diverse CKD population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) with CKD Stages 3-5 from January 2008-September 2015. We ascertained the onset of ESKD through September 2016, and calculated stage-specific estimates of model discrimination and calibration for the KFRE and KPNW equations. RESULTS: We identified 108,091 eligible adults with CKD (98,757 CKD Stage 3; 8,384 CKD Stage 4; and 950 CKD Stage 5 not yet receiving kidney replacement therapy), with mean age of 75 years, 55% women, and 37% being non-white. The overall 1-year risk of ESKD was 0.8% (95%CI: 0.8-0.9%). The KFRE displayed only moderate discrimination for CKD 3 and 5 (c = 0.76) but excellent discrimination for CKD 4 (c = 0.86), with good calibration for CKD 3-4 patients but suboptimal calibration for CKD 5. Calibration by CKD stage was similar to KFRE for the KPNW equation but displayed worse calibration across CKD stages for 1-year ESKD prediction. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, ethnically diverse, community-based CKD 3-5 population, both the KFRE and KPNW equation were suboptimal in accurately predicting the 1-year risk of ESKD within CKD stage 3 and 5, but more accurate for stage 4. Our findings suggest these equations can be used in1-year prediction for CKD 4 patients, but also highlight the need for more personalized, stage-specific equations that predicted various short- and long-term adverse outcomes to better inform overall decision-making.

Associations between vitamin C intake and serum uric acid in US adults: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016.

BACKGROUNDS: Dietary factors has been found to influence serum uric acid (SUA) levels. We further explored the associations between dietary and supplemental vitamin C intake and SUA in a large population-based study. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 6308 participants (3146 males and 3162 females) aged ≥20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016 in the United States. The dietary vitamin C was log-transformed for statistical analysis. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA concentrations >420 umol/L in males or >360 umol/L in females. The associations of dietary vitamin C and supplemental vitamin C with SUA levels and hyperuricemia risk were evaluated using weighted linear regression models and weighted multivariate logistic regression models, and a subgroup analysis stratified by gender was also conducted. RESULTS: In this large-scale database study, there was a negative association between dietary vitamin C (log transformed) and SUA levels in US adults (ß = -7.27, 95% CI: -11.58, -2.97). The inverse relationship existed among males but not females (P for interaction = 0.02). There was inverse correlation between dietary vitamin C (log transformed) and hyperuricemia risk (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.81), especially in males compared to females determined through an interaction test (P = 0.04). There were no associations between supplemental vitamin C and SUA levels (ß = 1.00 (95% CI: -4.44, 6.44) or hyperuricemia risk (OR = 0.98 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.24). High-dosage supplemental vitamin C (>300 mg) and hyperuricemia risk were not associated (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.56). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that there were negative associations between dietary vitamin C and SUA levels and hyperuricemia risk among US adults. The inverse correlations between dietary vitamin C and hyperuricemia risk were more significant in males compared to females. There were no associations between supplemental vitamin C and SUA levels or hyperuricemia risk.

Association of serum uric acid with hepatic steatosis detected by controlled attenuation parameter in the United States population.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been previously reported. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) has better diagnostic performance than ultrasonography for assessing hepatic steatosis. The association of SUA with hepatic steatosis detected by CAP is worth further study. METHODS: The US population aged 20 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was assessed. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). NAFLD status was defined as CAP values of 268 dB/m without hepatitis B or C virus infection or considerable alcohol consumption. Multiple imputations were performed to fill in the missing covariate values. Linear regression, logistic regression, and smooth curve fitting were used to examine the association. RESULTS: In total, 3919 individuals participated in this study. There was a positive association between SUA (µmol/L) and CAP (ß = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.12-0.17, P < 0.01). After stratification by sex, a significant relationship between SUA and CAP existed in both males (ß = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.09-0.16, P < 0.01) and females (ß = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.14-0.20, P < 0.01) after multiple imputation. The inflection points of the threshold effect of SUA on CAP were 487.7 µmol/L in males and 386.6 µmol/L in females. There was a positive association between SUA (mg/dL) and NAFLD (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23-1.37, P < 0.01). After stratification by race, positive relationships were also observed. Meanwhile, a positive relationship existed between hyperuricemia and NAFLD (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.64-2.30, P < 0.01). The positive relationship was more significant in females than in males (P for interaction < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive association between SUA and CAP, as well as between SUA and NAFLD. Subgroup studies stratified by sex and ethnicity demonstrated that the effects were consistent.

Integrated Moist-Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Waste Steam Energy Utilization.

Industrial waste steam is one of the major sources of global energy losses. Therefore, the collection and conversion of waste steam energy into electricity have aroused great interest. Here, a "two-in-one" strategy is reported that combines thermoelectric and moist-electric generation mechanisms for a highly efficient flexible moist-thermoelectric generator (MTEG). The spontaneous adsorption of water molecules and heat in the polyelectrolyte membrane induces the fast dissociation and diffusion of Na+ and H+ , resulting in the high electricity generation. Thus, the assembled flexible MTEG generates power with a high open-circuit voltage (Voc ) of 1.81 V (effective area = 1cm2 ) and a power density of up to 4.75±0.4 µW cm-2 . With efficient integration, a 12-unit MTEG can produce a Voc of 15.97 V, which is superior to most known TEGs and MEGs. The integrated and flexible MTEGs reported herein provide new insights for harvesting energy from industrial waste steam.

Supramolecular Ionogels Tougher than Metals.

Common natural and synthetic high-strength materials (such as rubber, plastics, ceramics, and metals) undergo the occurrence of poor deformability. Achieving high strength and large deformation simultaneously is a huge challenge. Herein, high-strength ionogels are developed through the synergy of force-induced crystallization and halometallate ionic liquid created supramolecular ionic networks. The prepared poly(vinyl alcohol)/halometallate ionic liquid ionogels show excellent mechanical properties, including ultimate fracture stress (63.1 ± 2.1 MPa), strain (5248 ± 113%), and unprecedented toughness (1947 ± 52 MJ m-3 ), which is much higher than that of most metals and alloys. Furthermore, the ionogels can achieve reversibility by water to realize green recovery and restoration of damaged mechanical properties.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report.

Concomitant lupus nephritis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis is rare, and there is little guidance on the management and outcomes of these patients. A Hispanic woman in her early 40s with no contributory medical history presented with 3 weeks of cough, shortness of breath, fever, and malaise. Laboratory test results were notable for serum creatinine level of 17.4 mg/dL (previously normal), urinalysis with a high hemoglobin level, >182 red blood cell count, and urinary protein-creatinine ratio of 5.72 g/g. Serologies showed elevated dsDNA, ribonucleoprotein antibody, Smith antibody, myeloperoxidase antibody, positive antinuclear antibody, and low complement levels. She was urgently started on hemodialysis and solumedrol 1 g for 3 days. On day 2, she had a kidney biopsy, which showed necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence with "full house" pattern, immune complex deposits, and strong antinuclear antibody staining of nuclei. She developed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and was initiated on plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide. She improved and was discharged without needing further dialysis. Clinicians should consider systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody disease overlap syndrome when a young, female patient presents with new kidney failure and alveolar hemorrhage. Early biopsy and aggressive treatment are essential in preserving kidney function, and plasmapheresis should be considered in severe cases. This is a severe case with a positive outcome.

Ultra-Tough and Recyclable Ionogels Constructed by Coordinated Supramolecular Solvents.

The mechanical properties of most hydrogels (ionogels) are considerably affected by covalently cross-linked networks. However, the interactions between solvent/solvent molecules and solvent/polymer chains are usually ignored. Herein, a series of ultra-tough ionogels were prepared via a supramolecular solvent, halometallate ionic liquid, in which cations and coordinating anions form a 3D supramolecular network. The linear polymer chains are physically cross-linked with supramolecular solvents synergistically enhancing the strength (14.3 MPa), toughness (78 MJ m-3 ), and Young's modulus (55 MPa) of ionogels, effectively dispersing the stress concentration under load, and obtaining better fatigue resistance and higher fracture energy (198 kJ m-2 ). Furthermore, the reversible cross-linking enables green recovery and recycling of ionogels, simply by water. This strategy shows broad applicability based on a variety of supramolecular solvents and coordinatable polymers.

Regulatory Effect of JAK2/STAT3 on the Immune Function of Endotoxin-tolerant Dendritic Cells and its Involvement in Acute Liver Failure.

Background and Aims: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a potentially fatal clinical syndrome with no effective treatment. This study aimed to explore the role of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway in modulating the phenotype and immune function of endotoxin-tolerant dendritic cells (ETDCs). In addition, we explored the use of EDTCs in an experimental model of ALF and investigated the associated mechanisms. Methods: In the in vitro experiment, ETDCs were transfected with adenovirus to induce SOCS1+/+ETDCs and SOCS1-/-ETDCs. Thereafter, costimulatory molecules and mixed lymphocyte reaction were assessed. Experimental mice were randomly divided into normal control, ALF, ALF+mock-ETDCs, ALF+SOCS1+/+ETDCs, ALF+AG490, and ALF+AG490+SOCS1+/+ETDCs groups. We examined the therapeutic effect of adoptive cellular immunotherapy by tail-vein injection of target ETDCs 12 h before ALF modeling. AG490, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor, was used in the in vivo experiment to further explore the protective mechanism of SOCS1+/+ETDCs. Results: Compared with control ETDCs, SOCS1+/+ETDCs had lower expression of costimulatory molecules, weaker allostimulatory ability, lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-α expression and higher IL-10 secretion. SOCS1-/-ETDCs showed the opposite results. In the in vivo experiments, the ALF+SOCS1+/+ETDCs and ALF+AG490+SOCS1+/+ETDCs groups showed less pathological damage and suppressed activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The changes were more pronounced in the ALF+AG490+SOCS1+/+ETDCs group. Infusion of SOCS1+/+ETDCs had a protective effect against ALF possibly via inhibition of JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Conclusions: The SOCS1 gene had an important role in induction of endotoxin tolerance. SOCS1+/+ETDCs alleviated lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced ALF by downregulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) facilitated highly stretchable and fatigue-resistant ionogels for recyclable sensors.

Ionogel-based flexible sensors are widely applied in wearable biomedical devices and soft robots. However, the abandoned ionic sensors are rapidly turning into e-waste. Here, we harness the porosity and the coordination of metal sites of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to develop physically crosslinked ionogels, which are composed of polymer chains that coordinate with the MOF metal sites. The covalent crosslinking of the host material transformed into reversible bond interactions that significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the MOF-ionogels. The obtained ionogels can endure an 11 000% stretch and exhibit Young's modulus and toughness of 58 MPa and 25 MJ m-3, respectively. In addition, the fracture energy is as high as 125 kJ m-2, outperforming most reported ionogels. Furthermore, the UiO-66-ionogels are fully recyclable and both the mechanical and electrical properties can be restored. The results of this work provide a new vision for the development of future "green" sensors.

Electricity production and key exoelectrogens in a mixed-culture psychrophilic microbial fuel cell at 4 °C.

The electricity production via psychrophilic microbial fuel cell (PMFC) for wastewater treatment in cold regions offers an alternative to avoid the unwanted methane dissolution of traditional anaerobic fermentation. But, it is seldom reported by mixed-culture, especially closed to 0 °C. Thus, a two-chamber mixed-culture PMFC at 4 °C was successfully operated in this study using acetate as an electron donor. The main results demonstrated a good performance of PMFC, including the maximum voltage of 513 mV at 1000 Ω, coulombic efficiency of 53%, and power density of 689 mW/m2. The cyclic voltammetry curves of enriched biofilm showed a direct electron transfer pathway. These good performances of mixed-culture PMFC were due to the high psychrophilic activity of enriched biofilm, including exoelectrogens genera of Geobacter (6.1%), Enterococcus (17.5%), and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12 (3.8%). Consequently, a mixed-culture PMFC provides a reasonable strategy to enrich exoelectrogens with high activity. For low-temperature regions, the mixed-culture PMFC involved biotechnologies shall benefit energy generation and valuable chemical production in the future. KEY POINTS: • PMFC showed a maximum voltage of around 513 mV under a resistance of 1000 Ω. • The coulombic efficiency was 53% and the max power density was 689 mW/m2. • Geobacter, Enterococcus, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12 were key exoelectrogens.

Three-Dimensional Printable, Highly Conductive Ionic Elastomers for High-Sensitivity Iontronics.

The development of hydrogels and ionic gels for applications in fields such as soft electronics and wearable sensors is limited by liquid evaporation or leakage. Ionic conductors without volatile liquids are better choices for flexible and transparent devices. Here, a liquid polymer electrolyte (LPE) is prepared from a mixture of lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) above the melting point of PEG. A three-dimensional (3D) printable solvent-free ionic elastomer (IE) is introduced by photopolymerization of ethyl acrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate in the prepared LPE. The conductivity is significantly improved by the presence of a high content of the lithium salt. Dynamic cross-linking networks improve the stretchability and resilience of the elastomer. The pattern design capability of the IE is provided by light-curing 3D printing. These features demonstrate that the IE has broad application prospects in flexible sensors, ion skins, and soft robots.

Recyclable, Healable, and Tough Ionogels Insensitive to Crack Propagation.

Most gels and elastomers introduce sacrificial bonds in the covalent network to dissipate energy. However, long-term cyclic loading caused irreversible fatigue damage and crack propagation cannot be prevented. Furthermore, because of the irreversible covalent crosslinked networks, it is a huge challenge to implement reversible mechanical interlocking and reorganize the polymer segments to realize the recycling and reuse of ionogels. Here, covalent crosslinking of host materials is replaced with entanglement. The entangled microdomains are used as physical crosslinking while introducing reversible bond interactions. The interpenetrating, entangled, and elastic microdomains of linear segments and covalent-network microspheres provide mechanical stability, eliminate stress concentration at the crack tip under load, and achieve unprecedented tear and fatigue resistance of ionogels in any load direction. Moreover, reversible entanglements and noncovalent interactions can be disentangled and recombined to achieve recycling and mechanical regeneration, and the recyclability of covalent-network microdomains is realized.